Ostrich

Struthio camelus

Habitat

Savanna, scrub grasslands and semi desert

Natural behavior

Mostly diurnal, living a nomadic lifestyle. Males are territorial and will defend their territory aggressively. Ostrich are able to go without water for several days, surviving on just the moisture from the plants they eat.

Description

Ostrich are the largest and heaviest flightless bird in the world. They have powerful legs and feet allowing them to reach speeds of 70km/h. They also possess the largest eye of any land animal and only have two toes on each foot

Distribution

Dry, hot savanna semi-arid plains and woodlands

Diet

Reproduction

The dominant female will mate with the alpha male after complex mating rituals. Other females may mate with the alpha or passing males. All eggs are laid in a communal nest with the main hen taking the center position. Incubation is a shared duty between males and females

Social structure

Social; living in small herds of up to 12. Alpha males maintain these herds and mate with the herd’s dominant female